Entries by Mike Rohde
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Hard to believe I've been writing here on Rohdesign for 12 years. It all started as a blog to share my thinking after selling The Palm Tipsheet in 2003.

Thanks for your support al these years!

New Feature: The Rohdesign Dispatch

After 12 years, it's time to try new things. Starting today, a Rohdesign Dispatch like this will happen every 2 weeks, with an image, comments and links I've found interesting. This is an experiment, so I'd love your feedback.

Interesting Links

♥ Honesty, Clarity and Action - Shawn Blanc talks about the common denominator between the people we admire and follow: A commitment to honesty and clarity with a bias toward action. Shawn is also working on his new book The Power of a Focus Life, which I can't wait to read.

♥ A Coffee Lover’s Guide to Tea - As a big fan of coffee, I found this post from Michael Allen Smith a helpful primer in better understanding tea, so I can explore and enjoy it fully.

♥ Inquisitive #27: Behind the App #1: History - Myke Hurley has created a fascinating, story-driven, documentary-style podcast series about how apps, so integrated into our lives, came to be. Future episodes will explore how apps are made, giving listeners insight about the lives of app developers.

Say Hello!

I've especially enjoyed hearing your replies to my posts, so please say hello. The more I hear what you like (and what you don't) the better my posts will be.

For those who read to the very bottom, I'm giving away 1 pass to The Designer's Pricing Class ($200 value) from my friends at nuSchool. Reply with a comment about why you should win the class and I will choose and announce the winner in 2 weeks. Good luck!

I'M EXCITED to announce Das Sketchnote Arbeitsbuch, the German translation of The Sketchnote Workbook, is out. I just received my author copies and this translation of The Sketchnote Workbook looks fantastic.

I've already started a new logbook with a Hobonichi Techo from Japan, with a slightly smaller size and thinner paper than the Moleskine. I'm loving it.

Hobonichi Techo vs. Moleskine.

A Logbook is Not Necessarily a Diary

Trying to sustain a year-long logbook was a bit of a risk. I’ve never been great at consistently keeping a traditional "dear diary" book. I’d start hot for a few weeks or months before flaming out.

The shift away from a "dear diary" to fill at the end of the day, to a book where items are logged as the day unfolds is a key difference. My logbook is a living document. I fill it as the day progresses, rather than working to create a narrative of the day from memory.

Of course that doesn't limit me from adding thoughts after the fact. I’ve made use of empty pages to sketch out concepts and ideas. On one occasion, I sketchnoted a TV documentary as an experiment as I worked on The Sketchnote Workbook — it worked great!

Sketchnote of a TV show: Titanic's Final Mystery.

A Space for Tasks and Ideas

Along with logging daily activities, I use my logbook to set key tasks for the day, using hand-drawn checklists. Sometimes I'll add icons with notes and comments to log entries. I manage my detailed tasks in Things, but it's helpful to keep 2-3 key tasks in my logbook as a reminder.

Sketchnote Travelogue of San Antonio, TX.

I'll often sketchnote experiences, like visits to restaurants or cities. It's great to freely use pages to capture whatever strikes me.

Capturing ideas is another great use for my logbook. I use space to draw something I'm thinking about to work out the details, like this image of a pinewood derby car my son wanted to create.

The Baconator Pinewood Car concept sketch.

That's the beauty of a logbook — it's your space to capture whatever you'd like. There is no correct way — whatever you want to log is fine.

My son Nathan's favorite things from 2014 page.

Try a Logbook!

Experimenting with logbooks has been an enjoyable and valuable experience. I challenge you to start a logbook, even if you're starting late. Think of all the free pages in January you'll have for sketching ideas!

MUSIC

I listened to a lot of music this year, while creating The Sketchnote Workbook, here are some of the favorites I came back to again and again:

Ásgeir - In The Silence

Ásgeir's In The Silence was suggested by my friend Brian Artka. I pre-ordered the album and once it arrived, I've had it playing at work, in the car, and traveling. It's a blend of folk, rock and ethereal vocals from Icelander Ásgeir. Favorite tracks include King and Cross, Torrent and In Harmony.

RAC - Strangers

RAC's Strangers came through the Song Exploder podcast. I love the 80s vibe. It provides me with an upbeat, energetic working soundtrack. Favorite tracks include Tegan & Sara's Hard to Hold, Matthew Koma's Cheap Sunglasses, and Katie Herzog's We Belong.

Reporter - Guggenheim

This album from Reporter turned out to be just what I needed to get deep focus while writing the manuscript for The Sketchnote Workbook. Repeated use created a habit: when this album started, I was instantly in a writing mindset. Favorite tracks include Bilbao and Berlin.

PODCASTS

I've been a commuter since starting a contract design project in June, so I have more time for podcasts. Here are a few that stood out this year:

Song Exploder

My pal Kris Hunt recommended Song Exploder with Hrishikesh Hirway. This is a podcast that deconstructs songs slice by slice using audio and interviews with the artists that create the track. Favorites include the Jeff Beal's House of Cards Theme and RAC's Let Go.

Unmistakable Creative

A recent addition to my listening list is Unmistakable Creative with Srinivas Rao. He has a great interview style that brings out the best discussions in his guests and make for good long-form listening. Favorites include Sarah Peck, Cal Newport, Jeff Spencer, and Joe Loya.

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

I hesitate to call Dan Carlin's Hardcore History a podcast, as his shortest episodes start at about 2 hours. This is effectively an audiobook feed on history, disguised as a mild-mannered podcast. It will get you thinking. Favorites: Wrath of the Khans, Blueprint for Armageddon, and Thor's Angels.

Thank You Everyone!

Most of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who as supported me in my book and typeface creation journey. I could not have done all of this without your encouragement over the past few years. I hope these small tokens of appreciation help you share the gift of creativity with the ones you love.